EXCLUSIVE: Saracens prop Vunipola set for surprise England call-up

England head coach Stuart Lancaster will spring a surprise this week by calling up Saracens prop Mako Vunipola for next month’s QBE international series.

The uncapped 21-year-old from a Tongan family has forced his way into England’s 32-man squad courtesy of a brilliant start to the season.

The inclusion of the 20st forward, who was born in New Zealand, will also add to England’s growing contingent of overseas-born players, with the likes of Dylan Hartley, Brad Barritt, Mouritz Botha and Manu Tuilagi already mainstays in the squad.

Shock: Vunipola (second right) is expected to be selected by Stuart Lancaster

With loosehead Alex Corbisiero out injured and unavailable for at least the first Tests against Fiji and Australia, Vunipola will join props Dan Cole, Joe Marler and David Wilson in the elite squad.

Vunipola, who is qualified to play for England, Tonga, New Zealand and Wales, has moved ahead of Wilson in the pecking order and looks certain to be selected in the squad for the November 10 Twickenham clash against Fiji.

It is a meteoric rise for Vunipola, who impressed when playing for the Grand Slam-winning England Under-20s team but who endured a torrid first year at Saracens after joining from Bristol, which saw him miss much of the season due to a broken metatarsal and then a torn hamstring.

Crocked: Alex Corbisiero (centre) is out injured

This season he has been at the forefront of Sarries’ impressive start, both in the Aviva Premiership and in Europe, and it is this form, coupled with Corbisiero’s injury, which will see him promoted from the Saxons.

Vunipola’s 19-year-old brother, Billy, has stood out as a back-rower for England age groups and London Wasps. The pair have a rich rugby heritage in their family. Their father, Fe’ao, captained Tonga and won 32 caps, while they have six uncles and a grandfather who all played for the South Sea island.

Leicester’s Tom Youngs will also leap from the Saxons into the senior squad to replace injured Bath hooker Rob Webber.